Nunavut recounts produce one winner and one intractable deadlock

Rankin Inlet South voters will try again in a by-election; Samuel Nuqingaq takes Uqqummiut

DAVID MURPHY

An official recount by Justice Sue Cooper at the Nunavut Court of Justice Nov. 5 resulted in a new MLA for Uqqummuit and an enduring tie in Rankin Inlet South. (PHOTO BY DAVID MURPHY)

Uqqummiut voters now have a new MLA, but Rankin Inlet South voters must return to the polls in a by-election following a judicial recount of two tied races arising from the Oct. 28 territorial election.

Samuel Nuqingaq of Qikiqtarjuaq is the new MLA for Uqqummiut after a recount showed he beat Niore Iqalukjuak of Clyde River by two votes.

Election night results showed the pair tied with 187 votes each, but after a recount by Justice Sue Cooper at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit Nov. 5, the official tally has been changed to 187-185 in favour of Nuqingaq.

There were two rejected ballots for Uqqummiut. Voter turnout there stood at 78 per cent.

Nuqingaq said he received a phone call from assembly clerk John Quirke informing him of his victory.

“I asked him, ‘Is it true?’ And he said he wouldn’t lie,” Nuqingaq said, adding that he’s leaving for Iqaluit Nov. 6. “I still haven’t even packed yet.”

Nuqingaq said the decision came down to the voters. “I told them I’m not making any election promises. I just told them if I get elected I will check with both communities what will be the first priority to work on as an MLA.”

Nuqingaq said he’s not planning to run for premier or for a spot on cabinet.

Three others contested the seat — Loseosie Paneak, Apiusie Apak and Charlie Kalluk — but none came close to winning.

Elections Nunavut has also confirmed that the riding of Rankin Inlet South did, in fact, end in a dead heat.